Hose handler or carrier.



No. 666,474. Patented Ian. 22, l90l. G. P. DE WOLFE. HOSE HANDLER AND CARRIER.

(Applicatioh filed 00c. 27, 1900. {No Model.)

GEORGE P. DE WOLFE, OF SPENOER, MASSACHUSETTS.

HOSE HANDLER OR CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 66 6,474, dated January 22, 1901.

Application filed Oct r 27, 1900. Serial No. 355%. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. DE WOLFE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spenoer, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Hose Handler or Carrier, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved hose handler or carrier; and the object of this invention is to provide a strong, simple, efficient, and inexpensive construction which may be used either in dragging the fire-hose to the place where the same is required or for pulling up the fire-hose on the ladder or for similar purposes.

To these ends this invention consists of a hose handler or carrier and of the combination of parts therein, as hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hose handler or carrier constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the ladder or strap can be used in connection with the hose handler or carrier. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the curved clam ping-plates, showing the manner in which the spring may be attached for holding the jaws clamped after the same are set into engagement with their holders; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a hose handler or carrier constructed according to this invention may be slipped or slid to different positions on the hose.

The principal factor which determines the efficiency of nearly all kinds of fire apparatus is the promptness with which the hose can be laid or brought to different positions, where the streams can be directed to do the most efficient work.

In nearly all hose companies the greater number of men are simply expected to lay the hose to lines and move the same from time to time to positions where they may be required.

It has heretofore been ordinarily the practice for the linemen of hose companies to simply lift up the hose bodily and carry or shift the same to various positions.

The especial object of my present invention is therefore to facilitate the work of the linemen of hose companies by providing a hose handler or carrier which is not only adapted for shifting or moving a line of hose to its position on the ground, but which is also adapted to be used as a hose-clamp for pulling up a line of hose to the upper Stories of a building and for fastening or holding the hose upon a ladder or other support.

To these ends a hose-carrier constructed according to mypresent invention consists, essentially, of two (crossing) substantially horizontal handle-pieces, which are provided at their inner ends with curved clampingplates and which are connected by a strap or flexible section, said parts being arranged so that the device will clamp itself onto a line of hose whenever the same is lifted either by its handle or by its strap. Referring to the accompanying drawings and in detail, my hose-handle, as herein illustrated, comprises the crossing substantially horizontal handle-pieces 10, which may be forged out of wrought iron or steel or, if desired, may be made of malleable iron. The handle-pieces 10 are pivotally connected by a pivot-bolt, as 11. Riveted to and brazed or otherwise secured to the inner ends of the handlepieces 10 are curved clamping-plates 12. Fitting onto the ends of the handlepieces 10 are wooden handles 13, which are held in place by nuts or ferrules 14. Pivotally connected to the handle-pieces 10 are eyes 15, which are connected together by a leather strap or other flexible section 16. The strap 16 may, if desired, be provided at its center with an eye 17 for receiving the hook of the ladder-belt, as shown in Fig. 2, and the handle-pieces are preferably provided with stops 18 to limit the extent to which the device may be opened.

In some cases the curved clamping-jaws 12 may each be provided with a spring 19 for 5 extending over and engaging the other clamping-jaw, as shown in Fig. 3, to hold the device into engagement with its hose, even when not being lifted or handled.

In practice a hose handler or carrier con-' structed according to this invention will furnish a device by means of which two men will readily shift orpull alonga line of hose, while at the same time the strap of the device will IOO furnish a handle, permitting the hose handler or carrier to be used by one man alone, and also providing means to which a core or hook may be attached when it is desired to pullnp a line of hose or to which abelt-strap may be connected when it is desired to fasten the hose to a ladder or other support.

I am aware that numerous changes may be made in my hose handler or carrier by those who are skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction herein shown and described; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. As an article of manufacture, a hose handler or carrier comprising substantially horizontal crossing, pivotally-connected handle-pieces, curved gripping-plates secured on the inner ends of the handle-pieces, handles secured on the outer ends of said handlepieces, eyes pivoted to said handle-pieces, and a strap connecting said eyes, said parts being arranged so that the device may be gripped onto the hose when lifted, either by its handle-pieoes or strap, substantially as described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a hose handler or carrier comprising substantially horizontal crossing, pivotally-connected handle-pieces having gripping-jaws secured to their inner ends, springs 19 carried by said gripping-jaws for normally closing said jaws into engagement with the hose, and a strap or flexible section connecting the handlepieces so that the device may be gripped onto the hose when lifted either by its handlepieces or strap, substantially as described.

3. As an article of manufacture, a hose handler or carrier comprisingsubstantially horizontal crossing, pivotally-oonnected handle-pieces having stops to limit the extent to which the device may be opened, grippingplates secured to the inner ends of the handle-pieces, handles secured to the outer ends of the handle-pieces, eyes pivoted to said handle-pieces, and a leather strap connecting said eyes, said parts being arranged so that the device may be gripped onto the hose when lifted, either by its handles or by its strap, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE P. DE WOLFE.

Witnesses:

PHI IP W. SOUTHGATE, JOHN F. OROWELL. 

